Field Notes Indie Short Film Festival Debuts on Big Screen with Music Box Takeover

For the first time ever, Field Notes, a brand best known for its iconic pocket-sized journals and stationery, is bringing its indie short films to the big screen. This one-day-only film festival will take place at Music Box Theatre on Monday, June 23, 2025, showcasing around 25 to 30 short films that explore the intentional creativity behind Field Notes’ quarterly notebooks.

Founded in 2007 by Jim Coudal and Aaron Draplin, Field Notes began as a simple hobby before quickly growing into a beloved brand for creatives seeking tangible tools for self-archival and storytelling. Since 2009, the company has produced over 50 short films tied closely to its notebook editions, blurring the lines between stationery design and filmmaking.

Coudal shared how sometimes the film themes inspire the notebook editions, creating a unique symbiotic relationship between the two creative forms. Highlights from the festival include shorts like “East is East and West is West” (2018 edition) and “A Man You Don’t Meet Every Day,” a mini-documentary on Rex Brasher, a pioneer in bird paintings.

Field Notes’ commitment to craftsmanship shines through in their films as well. Despite the polished look of their productions, they are made by a small, scrappy team deeply rooted in community connections, emphasizing authenticity over big-budget spectacle. Notably, Field Notes films stick to widescreen aspect ratios, resisting the trend of vertical shooting common in social media content, ensuring respect for the cinematic medium.

This inaugural festival marks Field Notes’ formal expansion into supporting analog art forms like film, perfectly timed with the growing popularity of cinema night-outs. Attendees will not only experience these creative shorts but also enjoy special guests and surprises.

As a special keepsake, ticket holders will receive an exclusive Music Box edition 2-pack of hand letter-pressed journals, featuring a cinematic camera design — a reminder of Field Notes’ motto:
“I’m not writing it down to remember it later, I’m writing it down to remember it now.”

For creatives and film lovers alike, this festival offers a rare glimpse into the creative process and the heartfelt stories behind Field Notes’ products and films.